How to Train a Shih Tzu Puppy

Cute, cuddly and affectionate, these words are apt descriptions of a Shih Tzu puppy. He is one who loves to be in the midst of his human family and appreciates the love that he is shown. You will enjoy watching your Shih Tzu as he plays around the house after proper training. As a first step in learning how to train a Shih Tzu puppy, you need to gain his trust. Training your pet may take a while, but as a responsible owner, you need to go through this so that training will go smoothly and successfully. Here are some tips on training your pup to focus on you as his human boss.

Bring your puppy to a quiet and less distracted place. To train your pup to focus on you, the place of training must be familiar to him. Do not crowd the place with other things or voices that can distract him.

Stick to one word of command during training. Use simple, yet consistent words of command that the dog will recognize while he is in training. Be gentle and firm in dealing with your pup so that he will know who to follow.

Do not use his name since he might get confused and mistake it for another thing, like being reprimanded. Remember that the success of his training will depend solely on you. Command him to respond to you when he is called.

Use singular words such as ‘focus’, ‘ready’ and ‘look’ when speaking to your puppy. Teach him to ‘sit’ and ‘stand’ at your command. Do not scold your puppy; instead, cheer him on as you both progress in training.

Trainings are best done during the early mornings or when he has not made contact with you. Your pup will direct his focus and attention on you during trainings when he does not see you or hear your voice for a few hours, especially overnight. A good walk in the park before training will help your dog become familiar with you and your voice. He can also utilize this time as a potty break. As you take him back to the training place, leave the leash on your Shih Tzu’s neck so you can still control him.

Prepare puppy treats for your pup. Know the puppy treats that are best and appropriate for the age and growth of your puppy. A Shih Tzu puppy that is hungry will show interest and will participate actively if he knows that a treat is waiting for him after he finishes training. The food will become motivation, while a well-fed doggie will laze around and show disinterest in whatever you are teaching him to do. However, it is not advisable to feed your puppy before training. You can give him small pieces every now and then throughout the course of the training just to keep him going.

Whistle or make a sound from your mouth. To gain more attention from your puppy, produce a sound after the word of command. He will follow the sound and will eventually look in your direction.

Release your puppy. After minutes of training, your Shih Tzu will love the feeling of being set free when all he can do is run around the house and play again.

Learning how to train a Shih Tzu puppy can be a lot of fun for you and your cute little dog. A loved, well- trained and cared for puppy will return the love you have shown him.